The $30
Million Redevelopment of a Circa 1888 Building
is Set to Open in March 2013

SYDNEY, November 14, 2012:
Boutique Hotel Operator, 8Hotels has announced
plans to launch a boutique hotel in the inner-city suburb of Pyrmont,
Sydney,
with the $30 million redevelopment set to open in March 2013.

The hotel, named 1888 after
the year the building which will house it was erected, will include 90
hotel
rooms, a 60-seat bar-restaurant called 1888 Eatery and boutique
conferencing
facilities.

Discussing the features of the
building, 8Hotels’ Founder and CEO Paul Fischmann said 1888 would have
soaring
high ceilings, exposed brick walls, huge period windows and a
seven-storey, light-filled,
internal atrium.

“It will be the most unique
hotel in our 20-property collection, but we’re expecting it to be one
of the
most unique, contemporary hotels in Australia,” Fischmann said.

Repurposed iron bark, recovered
during the initial stages of the redevelopment, will also feature
throughout
the rooms and public areas of the hotel.

“Each hotel room will feature
desks and shelves made from reclaimed and repurposed Iron Bark and we
will also
feature this beautiful Australian hard wood in the lobby and the
bar-restaurant,”
Fischmann said.

Polished concrete, steel,
bronze, marble and an eclectic collection of antique furnishings are
among the
other materials being used throughout the building which will provide
1888 with
a distinctly urban feel.

“The interior design has been
a truly collaborative effort between 8Hotels, our developers,
architects and
designers. Our focus has been on retaining the original fabric and
old-world
charm of the building, while incorporating contemporary, luxury
features –
those things desired by the modern traveller,” he said.

Discussing the origins of the hotel,
Fischmann said 1888, located at 139 Murray Street, was the culmination
of a long,
collaborative search with the developers to find the right hotel
opportunity in
an amazing location.

“Due to its proximity to the
city, Pyrmont and Ultimo business districts, the Convention Centre,
Darling
Harbour, the Entertainment Centre and many other popular attractions,
we
believe 1888 will be popular with both corporate and leisure
travellers.”

Prior to the purchase, the
building housed commercial offices, but was originally constructed and
used for
wool-storage.

The hotel is expected to employ upwards of 60
people.

1888 will be the seventh Sydney property to feature
within the 8Hotels Collection - a group of boutique properties defined
by
world-class service, amazing locations and great value.About 8Hotels
8Hotels is an Australian-owned business which operates
an eclectic collection of boutique hotels defined by centralised
management.
8Hotels is committed to developing and operating boutique hotels in
prime
locations whilst integrating unique interiors and world class
hospitality.